{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Gray Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":32.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6988661,"projectId":9787857,"letterContent":"My students have been able to share their worries and hopes for our futures using the supplies I purchased with the funds you so generously donated. All students selected topics that were extremely important to them and created speeches that they shared with their classmates, school, and some even continued to the citywide competition. Topics varied from school lunches and bullying to immigration reform. Students were able to record podcasts about their speeches using the microphones. They were also able to create buttons and print their templates in color. Once they were finished, they could trade their buttons with other students. \r\n\r\nI have newcomer English Language Learners who are working to practice their English every day. It is of utmost importance because they will be continuing to high school in a few months, where English fluency is expected. Every day, my newcomers get to use their new headphones with attached microphones to practice their English fluency. This is a significant improvement over the flimsy headphones that were constantly breaking and needed to be taped back together. \r\n\r\nThank you again for your generosity; it has helped my students to flourish in so many ways.","fullyFundedDate":1761763654975,"projectUrl":"project/help-my-8th-grade-mll-classroom/9787857/","projectTitle":"Help my 8th Grade MLL Classroom!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Arifi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6988661_orig.png?crop=1290,1290,x0,y120&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1761093381301","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6988661"},{"teacherId":7831077,"projectId":9590143,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our second graders are diving headfirst into hands‑on STEM learning every single day! The tools you provided have completely transformed our classroom into a buzzing hub of creativity, collaboration, and problem‑solving.\r\n\r\nThe moment the boxes were opened, the room erupted into gasps, claps, and little voices shouting, \"Can we start today?!\" Several students immediately recognized the Snap Circuits kit and began excitedly telling their classmates all the things they hoped to build including fans, lights, spinning motors, anything they could imagine. Others were fascinated by the colorful gears and disc‑shaped building pieces, turning them over in their hands as they guessed what they might become. \r\n\r\nWe've launched a weekly \"STEM Lab\" time where students rotate through centers using the different materials you helped fund. One of our favorite recent projects was a challenge called \"Build a Bridge That Can Hold the Elephant!\" Using the STEM Explorers Bridge Builders set alongside the interlocking building pieces, students worked in teams to design bridges strong enough to support a small toy elephant. I watched them draw plans, test weight limits, cheer each other on, and revise their designs using trial and error. \r\n\r\nRight now our class is beginning a unit on \"Electricity\" and your donated STEM materials will play a huge role. Students will use our Snap Circuits to build working circuits and discover how energy can travel through a pathway. Along with a LEGO DISCOVER set students will be able to explore where we get energy from and how it's used, the impact of our energy choices, as well as create a better energy journey for our community. \r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our classroom and for helping spark a love of engineering and invention in these young learners. You've made an incredible difference, and we are so grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1760706415245,"projectUrl":"project/stem-tastic-explorers-hands-on-learning/9590143/","projectTitle":"STEM-tastic Explorers: Hands-On Learning for Young Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lily","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7831077_orig.jpg?crop=2311,2311,x860,y188&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1682879748441","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-rosales-209"},{"teacherId":137563,"projectId":9434370,"letterContent":"We have done so much with the Upfront New Magazines you have brought to our classroom! Thank you for supporting \"The Media Literacy Project: Discerning Fact From Fiction\" and helping me kick off the school year with these excellent resources. Using the magazines and digital resources, my students read and researched current events. They wrote speeches asking classmates to taken action on a chosen issue. \r\n Reading in my classroom is a social act; allowing students to choose an issue that they are passionate about helped me introduce media literacy and civics in a meaningful, student-centered way. This simply would not have been possible without your support.\r\n In the coming weeks, we will learn how bias impacts how information is perceived and how propaganda, word choice, and imagery shape meaning. We have begun learning about the role journalism plays in a democracy. In the next quarter, students will become journalists themselves by creating a classroom newspaper.\r\n These lessons would simply not have the impact they had because of the awesome gift you have shared with us. We thank you and are truly excited to see how the year unfolds! Thanks again for supporting our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1755720294952,"projectUrl":"project/the-media-literacy-project-discerning-f/9434370/","projectTitle":"The Media Literacy Project: Discerning Fact from Fiction","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rocuant","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp137563_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1491844451560","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/137563"},{"teacherId":7985410,"projectId":9507806,"letterContent":"We just wanted to send a huge, heartfelt thank you for your gift. Your support is the reason we're doing cool stuff with STEM! You made the LEGO BricQ Motion boxes happen for our students. You didn't just give us building blocks; you gave our kids the chance to actually become hands-on engineers and awesome problem-solvers.\r\n\r\nWe're putting the boxes to work right away, making those tricky concepts like force, motion, and energy feel real and fun instead of just textbook stuff!\r\n\r\nThe students were totally pumped when they saw the LEGOs. Their first reaction was pure excitement, and then they got super focused. But the coolest part? Watching them realize that failing is okay! When a gear slipped or their design messed up, they didn't get bummed out. They immediately grabbed the manuals, checked their builds, and started figuring out the fix. Your materials are teaching them that the best engineers are the ones who try, mess up, and try again!","fullyFundedDate":1757423248526,"projectUrl":"project/building-future-innovators-with-lego-bri/9507806/","projectTitle":"Building Future Innovators with Lego BricQ Motion","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Clemens","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7985410"},{"teacherId":3530704,"projectId":9501713,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and donation to my PreK classroom. Your donation made it possible for me to be fully prepared for the beginning of the school year. I was able to purchase back to school supplies to help me welcome my students before they even walked in the door. \r\n\r\nMy students have been using the journals weekly to draw and write in for our small groups. They also are still using the lanyards to facilitate our time in the lunch line. Having these supplies have made our day run smoother and more efficiently. \r\n\r\nOnce again I appreciate your support!","fullyFundedDate":1755282986102,"projectUrl":"project/back-to-school-essentials/9501713/","projectTitle":"Back to School Essentials!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Toledo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3530704"},{"teacherId":8729796,"projectId":9437276,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the stem building activities for my students to use during the day and during free time. My students love working together creating different designs and building sculptures using the manipulatives in each of the stem boxes. The children also like to look at the different designs from the little booklets and try to recreate it. They are so proud when they can do that. Having multiple stem toys to choose from with so many students in my class this year has made a big difference in lots of ways. Thank you so much. They are so engaged during free time that I am able to pull a few students to listen to them read and work on fluency which is also so important in kindergarten. \r\n\r\nThe tubs I put together hold the stem toys and other items used for free time. It is low and accessible for the children to get what they want to use during the day. \r\n\r\nMy students and I are very grateful that you donated to this project. All these things will be enjoyed by my many students for years to come. Thanks again for your generous contribution to our project!","fullyFundedDate":1757554444937,"projectUrl":"project/imagine-create-in-kindergarten/9437276/","projectTitle":"Imagine & Create in Kindergarten","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gerardi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8729796_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1674059769400","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8729796"},{"teacherId":8098292,"projectId":9118131,"letterContent":"I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for your generous donation to support our art studio. Your contribution is making a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and helping to provide them with the tools and resources they need to explore their creativity.\r\n\r\nWith your donation, we will be able to enhance our art program, providing our young artists with the opportunity to develop their skills and express themselves in new and exciting ways. Your support is truly helping to foster a love of art that will inspire them for years to come.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your kindness and for investing in the future of our students. We are incredibly grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1740691503859,"projectUrl":"project/we-are-running-out/9118131/","projectTitle":"We are Running Out","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kane","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8098292_orig.jpg?crop=1948,1948,x0,y129&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763232318849","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8098292"},{"teacherId":1918240,"projectId":9406315,"letterContent":"We have been so excited to use our new headphones in the classroom! The headphones aren't just an accessory; they're a vital tool that has profoundly changed how our students learn, offering a level of focus and personalization that was previously impossible. In a busy classroom, external distractions like hallway noise or other students' independent work can derail concentration. The headphones immediately solve this by creating a private auditory space for each student, allowing for deep, sustained focus on the task at hand. This environment is crucial for success, whether they're completing a practice quiz, working through a complex digital lesson, or using an interactive vocabulary app.\r\n\r\nWhat our students are most excited about is the immediate sense of control and independence this technology provides. Putting on the headphones is like flipping a switch that says, \"I'm in my learning zone now.\" It enables us to use highly engaging multimedia content—like educational videos, CPS online apps, and gamified learning platforms—that wouldn't be possible to play out loud. This makes our lessons feel more modern and relevant. The biggest draw is that the headphones facilitate self-paced learning: students can pause, rewind, and re-listen to instructions as many times as they need, completely tailoring the pace to their own comprehension level.\r\n\r\nWe've seen the most dramatic and heartwarming improvements with students who previously faced barriers. Our English Language Learners (ELLs), for instance, are thriving because they can repeatedly listen to clear pronunciation and easily use translation software without feeling self-conscious. Similarly, students who qualify for text-to-speech accommodations are now accessing grade-level reading material independently for the first time, shifting their focus from the struggle of decoding words to the joy of comprehension. The headphones have been a game-changer for these learners, boosting their confidence and allowing them to participate in class as equals. I can't thank you enough for empowering our entire classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1759006626842,"projectUrl":"project/soundscapes-and-solitude/9406315/","projectTitle":"Soundscapes and Solitude","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ericson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1918240_orig.jpg?crop=614,614,x1421,y1189&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1716563171494","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1918240"},{"teacherId":1918240,"projectId":9405024,"letterContent":"We have been so excited to use our new headphones in the classroom! The headphones aren't just an accessory; they're a vital tool that has profoundly changed how our students learn, offering a level of focus and personalization that was previously impossible. In a busy classroom, external distractions like hallway noise or other students' independent work can derail concentration. The headphones immediately solve this by creating a private auditory space for each student, allowing for deep, sustained focus on the task at hand. This environment is crucial for success, whether they're completing a practice quiz, working through a complex digital lesson, or using an interactive vocabulary app.\r\n\r\nWhat our students are most excited about is the immediate sense of control and independence this technology provides. Putting on the headphones is like flipping a switch that says, \"I'm in my learning zone now.\" It enables us to use highly engaging multimedia content—like educational videos, CPS online apps, and gamified learning platforms—that wouldn't be possible to play out loud. This makes our lessons feel more modern and relevant. The biggest draw is that the headphones facilitate self-paced learning: students can pause, rewind, and re-listen to instructions as many times as they need, completely tailoring the pace to their own comprehension level.\r\n\r\nWe've seen the most dramatic and heartwarming improvements with students who previously faced barriers. Our English Language Learners (ELLs), for instance, are thriving because they can repeatedly listen to clear pronunciation and easily use translation software without feeling self-conscious. Similarly, students who qualify for text-to-speech accommodations are now accessing grade-level reading material independently for the first time, shifting their focus from the struggle of decoding words to the joy of comprehension. The headphones have been a game-changer for these learners, boosting their confidence and allowing them to participate in class as equals. I can't thank you enough for empowering our entire classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1759231816553,"projectUrl":"project/diving-deeper-into-reading/9405024/","projectTitle":"Diving Deeper into Reading!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ericson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1918240_orig.jpg?crop=614,614,x1421,y1189&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1716563171494","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1918240"},{"teacherId":3530704,"projectId":9078198,"letterContent":"My students are loving the games and activities your generosity have provided! The days that we have to stay inside instead of playing outside due to weather are often challenging. Students my age need active and hands on engagement in order to provide the gross motor minutes they need throughout the day. \r\nThe students look forward to using the basketball hoop, hopscotch, and balance beams on days that are rainy and cold. I oftentimes have to set up a timer in order to allow new groups of friends to play with the indoor basketball net because it is so popular!","fullyFundedDate":1746627285316,"projectUrl":"project/the-indoor-recess-blues/9078198/","projectTitle":"The Indoor Recess Blues","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Toledo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3530704"},{"teacherId":7926523,"projectId":9139249,"letterContent":"Thank you for the graphic novels you donated to our classroom. Thanks to your donation our students were able to read novels in their native language. Providing books in students' native languages fosters stronger literacy skills in both their native language and English. It also, enhances cultural identity and belonging, and promotes deeper comprehension and engagement with learning. \r\n\r\nThe graphic novels have also been incredibly helpful for our struggling readers by offering a visual and engaging way to access stories and build confidence.\r\n\r\nstudents are so excited to read their new books and are learning and growing. Your generosity has been such a blessing and we are truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1746627588657,"projectUrl":"project/great-graphic-novels-for-kids-great-tim/9139249/","projectTitle":"Great Graphic Novels for Kids! Great Times!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ortiz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7926523_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744166927497","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7926523"},{"teacherId":7926523,"projectId":9226817,"letterContent":"Thank you for the novels you donated. Thanks to your donations, our students are excited about reading. These novels are great for all students. They have helped strengthen vocabulary, build confidence, reading stamina, and develop a deeper appreciation of storytelling. Your generosity has helped students develop reading clubs in which they are able to enjoy deep discussions and analyze challenging themes related to their novels. Students enjoy their small group discussions and spending time reading with their classmates. \r\n\r\n
With gratitude,
Ms.","fullyFundedDate":1744244053611,"projectUrl":"project/lets-get-literary/9226817/","projectTitle":"Let's Get Literary!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ortiz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7926523_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744166927497","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7926523"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5382","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":988,"numTeachers":67,"percentFrplEligible":81,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":9,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":83,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"14.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":67.5,"schoolId":5382,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Gray Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Gray Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/gray-elementary-school/5382"}